yup folks, we went to Graceland!
what can i say about Graceland? it isn't cheap but it's a hoot. from the moment you put the headphones on until you pull them off it's a hoot.
Graceland proper isn't overly large. you only get to tour the first floor and basement of the house but believe me when i say it's enough. from stained glass windows to poodle wallpaper to white monkeys, Elvis' home is a fine example of early seventies decor. 
you walk through the home at your own pace. pressing the green forward button on my headset control i couldn't help but be amused by the songs chosen as background for each section of the tour. it was very well thought out and delightful for those of us who do love us the king's music.
the jungle room is awesome. all the rooms are. i even thoroughly enjoyed touring the back of the house and office space. especially the swingset. it reminded me of my childhood.
after that you get a peek at all the gold records Elvis was awarded. there is an entire hall full of them. it felt a bit willy wonka to me.
the final room you enter has a cathedral ceiling that appears to stretch on and on. there is a trio of Las Vegas costumes set in glass and you feel a sense of finality. i got a little weepy. just a little. after all, i'm here mostly as a tribute to my mamos who loved Elvis Presley not unlike how some folk love The Beatles or Oingo Boingo (ahem). i grew up watching Elvis movies. i learned to dance from watching Clambake over and over again and was sorely sad when i found that no one dances like that anymore...well, save for me, even at my old goth club hangouts. Elvis even taught me to swim...sort of. it was his serenade to the young girl who was afraid to slide down the slide in Clambake that convinced me i could do it. no foolin'. i was watching the flick one weekend on Family Film Festival and decided it was time for me to have some CONFIDENCE myself. so, into my bedroom i marched to wrestle myself into my brown and orange swimsuit. after flying down the stairs and down the path to the pool i jumped in without hesitation. i was eight and i owe it all to Elvis.
the tour ends with a solemn walk through the meditation garden where Elvis is buried along with other family members. he truly is and was a legend, a true American legend. in celebration of our love of Elvis and to think of him with a smile on our faces, we made a quick pit stop to the front of Graceland where we of course...jumped!
